Norman and Walle (Child support)

This matter concerned an appeal by the father, Norman, against a decision of the Child Support Registrar concerning the percentage of care for the parties' child. The dispute centred on the likely pattern of care for the child from the commencement of the administrative assessment. The decision under review was made by S Trotter SM in the Magistrates Court.

The primary legal issue before the Court was to determine the correct percentage of care attributable to each parent for the purposes of calculating child support, specifically considering the likely pattern of care from the inception of the administrative assessment. This involved an assessment of the evidence presented regarding the actual care arrangements and the intended or likely future arrangements.

The Court considered the evidence of both parties regarding the care arrangements for the child. It applied the principles of the *Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988* concerning the determination of the percentage of care, which requires an assessment of the likely pattern of care. The Court found that the evidence supported a particular apportionment of care, which differed from the initial assessment. The Court affirmed the decision of the Child Support Registrar, finding that the Registrar had correctly applied the relevant legislative provisions in determining the percentage of care.